Josh Leivo

The Toronto Maple Leafs are in a spot of bother as it pertains to their roster this fall. Too many quality forwards is a good problem to have, but there are possible difficulties ahead for the team. One (or more) of the draft eligible forwards may be lost on waivers. No team wants to lose talent for the waiver fee, and there may be an opportunity to swoop in and procure value for less than 100 cents on the dollar.

Leivo played quite a bit at 5×5 (over half of his playing time) with Nazem Kadri, who is an outstanding center. Small overall sample size, but impressive. Also impressive? The numbers away from Kadri. Leivo is a quality young player in search of an NHL home.

THE COST

Leivo is 6.02, 205 and plays LW (shoots right). He could be lost for just money, so acquiring him may not require payment in full. A prospect who is not waiver eligible or a draft pick may be all that it takes. The Oilers are currently auditioning all manner of wingers for RW this fall, and should have the position covered internally. In fact, it’s likely the team is searching for a righty defenseman on the trade market (if anything). Sometimes it is wise to take what the market gives you. Josh Leivo might be a helluva gift for either wing and is an inexpensive offensive option. Something to consider.

I think the roster is set up front with Slepy, Khaira and Pakarinan each making the team. The only question is if Puljijarvi or Yamamoto takes that last spot and I think we can all agree that, even if JP gets sent to the AHL, he’ll be back when Yama gets sent back to Spokane to slide his contract.

I guess there is a spot if both those players are not on the opening night roster or there are injuries.

You may be right, but JP has not looked good and as of right now should not be in the NHL. Maybe in the future but oilers don’t need to gift wrap positions they can now have players on the team that earn their spot.

If we had just lost Maroon to free agency or initial extension talks suggest his agent thinks Maroon is the motor on this club I get the idea of being proactive. But I do believe the Oilers have a few players who might fit that spot if we lose Maroon. So I’d just as soon pass at this moment.

This is the very thing wrong with analytics. 13 games worth of stats is meaningless. It would be statistically insignificant. Unless someone has eyes on this guy be very careful about judging this player either positively or negatively.